CROWDS have been steaming along to catch a glimpse of Thomas the Tank Engine on The Watercress Line.

Youngsters saw all their favourite Thomas characters on the Mid Hants Railway at Ropley as the old steam line was taken over by The Fat Controller and his crew.

As well as riding on the famous steam engines, visitors had the chance to watch Thomas and rival Douglas racing up the tracks, enjoy magic shows and take some time out on the bouncy slides.

Father-of-two Alex Dawson travelled from Marlborough in Wiltshire to see Thomas. "It's been great; the kids loved it, especially the racing. I was impressed by the length of the track; I didn't realise it went on for so long," he said.

Robin Higgs, the co-ordinator for the Thomas event, was pleased with the turnout.

He said: "The numbers are well up on last year and people tell us it's such a happy event."

The Fat Controller, Patrick Tarrant, said: "All the engines have been behaving themselves."